16 FARMERS’ BULLETIN 640. 
and wheat straw-worms. The body is black with a greenish luster, 
and the legs are more or less yellow. 
Merisus dietasae ss ay (fig. 15) occurs in Europe, England, and 
America, but not in such profusion with us as to afford the same 
relief to the farmer as in the case of the preceding two. It also is 
black, but with a bluish-green metallic reflection, and the legs are 
black, banded with yellow. 
Platygaster herrickii Pack. (fig. 16) is very minute, shining black in 
color, and is supposed by many to attack the egg of the fly, but there 
is still some doubt regarding this. 
Beotomus subapterus Riley (fig. 17), as the name implies, has aborted 
wings in some individuals, while others are fully winged. The head 
Agios : 
Aig Re mm ee 
pee ne IK La ~ os eee. 
Fic. 13,—Eupelmus allynii, a parasite of the Hessian fly: Male. Much enlarged. (Original.) 
and thorax are of a dark greenish metallic luster, and the legs honey- 
yellow. Itis generally less abundant than some of the others, but 
sometimes individuals are quite numerous. 
Besides these, several undescribed species have been recorded from 
the northwestern part of the country. The influence of these minute 
parasites in regulating the world’s wheat supply is not at all under- 
stood, and it is doubtful if wheat could be successfully raised were 
they all to be suddenly swept out of existence. 
REMEDIAL AND PREVENTIVE MEASURES. 
Of remedies there is little to be said, since after the pest becomes 
established in a field it can not be reached by any measure likely to 
destroy it. The application broadeast of some quick-acting fertilizer 
containing a large percentage of phosphate, made as soon as general 
